Tinubu Explains Reasons for NYSC Reforms

President Bola Tinubu has explained the rationale behind his administration’s sweeping reforms of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), saying the changes are designed to equip young Nigerians with practical skills and position them as active drivers of national development rather than passive participants in a dated system.

The President spoke in a statement posted on his official X handle on Wednesday, days after the Federal Executive Council approved the reforms on Monday.

Tinubu framed the overhaul as a fulfilment of a promise he made on the day he was inaugurated.

“On Monday, at the Federal Executive Council, our administration approved the most consequential reforms of the National Youth Service Corps Scheme since its establishment in 1973. On the day I was sworn in as your President, I promised to create meaningful opportunities for our young people. I said women and youth would feature prominently in our administration, and this reform is partly the actualisation of that promise,” he said.

While acknowledging the historic role the NYSC has played in promoting national unity over more than five decades, the President said Nigeria’s current realities demand a more ambitious approach.

“For 53 years, the NYSC has served the cause of national unity. That mission remains important and must be preserved. But the Nigeria of today demands more. Our young people are nearly 70 per cent of our population. They are not a burden to be managed… They are the engine.

“Every corps member must leave NYSC better prepared for work, enterprise and national service,” he said.

On the issue of security, the President said the reforms will introduce risk-based deployment, with particular sensitivity to states facing security challenges.

Under the new framework, deployment will prioritise indigenes, residents, graduates of institutions in affected states, and those from neighbouring states within the same geopolitical zones.

“The call-up process will become technology-driven and primary assignments will be better aligned with each corps member’s skills, academic background and career stream,” he added.

Tinubu also announced that orientation camps will be assessed under a national grading and certification framework, with states required to meet minimum security and operational standards going forward.